Careers by Major - International Affairs

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for International Affairs graduates.  Below is a sample of types of positions available to graduates.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Customs Broker
  • Purchaser*
  • Income Generation Specialist
  • Environmental Economist
  • Interpreter*
  • Foreign Service Officer*
  • Statistician*
  • Immigration Officer*
  • Lawyer*
  • Importer / Exporter*
  • Compensation Analyst
  • Economic Development Officer*
  • Investment Advisor
  • Volunteer Manager*
  • International Exchange Advisor
  • Consultant*
  • Order Fulfillment Coordinator Fundraiser*
  • Property Manager
  • Translator*
  • Sustainability Specialist
  • Advertising Account Executive*
  • Public Policy Analyst*
  • Logistics Specialist*
  • Planner*
  • Association Manager*
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist
  • Demographer
  • International Marketing Analyst
  • Manufacturing Manager
  • Economist*
  • Business Development Officer
  • Political Aide*
  • Language School Manager
  • Border Services Officer
  • Bank Manager*
  • Actuary*
  • Research Analyst*
  • Political Scientist
  • International Admissions Officer
  • Foreign Exchange Trader / Trader*
  • Internal Auditor
  • Lobbyist*
  • Humanitarian Aid Worker*
  • Investment Underwriter
  • Mediator
  • Foreign Language Instructor
  • Human Resources Specialist*
  • Event Planner*
  • Hotel Manager*
  • International Financial Analyst
  • Politician*
  • Terminologist
  • Venture Capitalist*

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Canadian electronic career guide available through your Career Centre Online account.

Who employs graduates from this program?

  • Industrial corporations and wholesalers
  • Importers & exporters
  • Airlines/Airports
  • Financial institutions
  • Language Schools
  • Market research firms
  • International development agencies
  • Government agencies
  • Customs brokerage firms
  • Freight forwarders
  • Universities and colleges
  • Consulting firms
  • Manufacturers
  • Environmental organizations
  • Securities firms
  • Translation & Interpretation Services

Skills developed by students in this program

  • Analytical skills
  • Linguistic skills
  • Creativity
  • Organizational skills
  • Problem-Solving skills
  • Communication skills
  • Detail-oriented
  • Time management skills

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation.  Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Corporate FX Trader – Sales & Trading, MTFX Foreign Exchange
  • International Marketer (Bilingual), Study English in Canada Inc.
  • Manager, Regulatory Affairs & Government Relations, Just Energy Group
  • Research Associate, Canadian Coalition for Good Governance
  • Border Services Officer Bilingual, Canada Border Services Agency
  • Economist/Policy Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
  • Claims Trainee, Zurich
  • Demand Planner, Pepsico Beverages Canada
  • Trade Policy Analyst, Canadian Sugar Institute
  • Junior Buyer/Buyer, Crystal Claire Cosmetics Inc.
  • International Manager in Development Markets, BIC
  • Customer Contact Agent – Direct Banking, Bank of Montreal
  • Financial Translator, TransPerfect Translations International
  • Africa Analyst, Pyramid Research
  • Jr. Bilingual Business Development Manager, A.D.T. Translations Inc.
  • International Sales Correspondent, Discovering Reports Limited
  • Hotel Coordinator, Butterfield & Robinson
  • Trade Relations Officer, Consulate General of Austria – Commercial Section
  • Director of International Outreach, Students Offering Support International Youth Coordinator, Free the Children
  • Risk and Compliance Officer, UBS
  • Logistics Coordinator, C.A.T. Global Logistics
  • Contract Market Research Analyst, Euromonitor International
  • Operations Associate, Global Asset Management

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want.  Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer Positions 

  • Community Outreach, Toronto Environmental Alliance
  • Summer Interpretive Officer Program, Legislative Assembly of Ontario
  • Bookkeeping and Sales, Chabad of Mississauga
  • Marketing Coordinator, DLM Foods Canada Corp.
  • Student Border Services Officer, Canada Border Services Agency
  • Capital Markets Trading Floor Analyst, CIBC
  • Parliamentary Guide, Library of Parliament
  • Office Assistant, Norstar Securities International
  • Research and Marketing Assistant, RSC Business Group Alpha

Part-Time Positions

  • Translator (French, German or Italian), Ganz Canada
  • Administrative Assistant, Reid Management Consultants Inc.
  • Economics & Business Tutor, Goldstate Mortgage Services Inc.
  • Marketing Coordinator, Canadian Metec Ltd.
  • Junior Business Development Officer, Galloway Consulting Group
  • Bilingual Executive Interviewer, Compas
  • Professional Communication Instructor, Hanson International Academy
  • Bilingual (Spanish/English) Client Relations, Honeycomb Worldwide
  • Inc.
  • Part-Time Sales Representative, OPTIMUS Consulting Group

Work-Study Positions

Previous postings have included:

  • Smart Commute Mississauga Liaison, UTM Environmental Affairs Office
  • Resource Sharing Student Ambassador, UTM Library Hazel McCallion Academic Learning
  • Project Planning Assistant, UTM Department of Language Studies
  • Marketing Analyst, UTM Department of Management
  • utmONE Evaluation Support, UTM Office of the Dean
  • Student Eco-Network Coordinator, UTM Environmental Affairs Office
  • Research Assistant, UTM Career Centre
  • Financial Aid Assistant, UTM Office of the Registrar

Extern Job Shadowing Program

Extern is a career exploration program that offers you the opportunity to meet with people working in your preferred career area for placements of 1-5 days.

Samples of previous Extern placements include:

  • Director of Marketing & Fund Development, The Mississauga Food Bank
  • International Trade, U.S. Commercial Service Toronto
  • Economic Policy Analyst, Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs
  • Translator, Allspeed Translations & Consultants Inc.
  • Manager Corporate Communications, City of Toronto
  • Transportation Planner, City of Toronto
  • Event Planning/Organizing, Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office

Volunteer Positions

  • Office Volunteer, Canadian Youth Business Foundation
  • Meeting Place Store Volunteer, St. Christopher House
  • Bilingual Volunteer, Youth Assisting Youth
  • Outreach Officer, Access Community Capital Fund OECD
  • Student Ambassador Program, OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
  • Volunteer Research Assistant, RBC Dominion Securities
  • Account Receivable Clerk, The Toronto Board of Trade
  • Public Relations Officer, Dmitri’s Animation

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Research Opportunity Program (ROP) at UTM

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows students in their second and third year to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Check the ROP website for information about the program including application deadlines.

Professional Associations

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume.  In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one way to get an edge in the job market.  It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field.

Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters (I.E. Canada)
“I.E. Canada is a national, non-profit organization committed to providing services to develop and enhance the international trade activity and profitability of importers and exporters.  Their vision is to inform, educate, represent and advocate on behalf of Canadian importers and exporters.  Their mission is to be the leading voice, domestically and globally, for the Canadian trade community.”

The Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA)
“FITA fosters international trade by strengthening the role of local, regional, national and global associations that have an international mission.  Their +450,000 members represent a broad cross-section of the international trade and business community: manufacturers, trading companies, contractors, freight forwarders, custom house brokers, airlines, shipping companies, port authorities, banks, insurance brokers and underwriters, associations and a wide range of service providers including telecommunications companies, law firms and consultants.”

Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA)
“CPSA began its activities in 1912.  The objectives of the Association are to encourage and develop political science and its relationship with other disciplines; and to hold conferences, meetings and exhibitions for the discussion of political science problems and the exchange of views in matters relating to political science.  Student memberships are available.”

The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC)
“EDAC is Canada's national organization of economic developers pursuing excellence in the field since 1968. The association offers its members professional development, networking opportunities and a comprehensive offering of resources.  The mission of the Economic Developers Association of Canada is to enhance the professional competence of economic developers and ensure placement of highly professional and qualified practitioners in the field of economic development.”

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT)
“The mandate DFAIT is to manage Canada's diplomatic and consular relations and to encourage the country's international trade. This includes ensuring that Canada's foreign policy advances Canada's national interests; strengthening rules-based trading arrangements and expanding free and fair market access at bilateral, regional and global levels; and working with a range of partners inside and outside government to achieve increased economic opportunity and enhanced security for Canada.”

Language Industry Association (AILIA)
“The mission of AILIA is to promote and increase the competitiveness of the Canadian language industry nationally and internationally through advocacy, accreditation and information sharing.”

Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC)
“The CCTIC, generally recognized as the national body representing professional translators, interpreters and terminologists, contributes to high quality inter-language and intercultural communication.  CTTIC maintains and promotes national standards in translation, interpretation and terminology to ensure quality communication across linguistic and cultural communities.”

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources:

  • Career Cruising
  • The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas
  • Careers for Foreign Language Majors
  • Careers for Financial Mavens & Other Money Movers
  • Careers in International Affairs
  • The Global Citizen: A Guide to Creating an International Life and Career
  • Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know
  • Ready, Set, Hired!: A Practical Guide to Starting a Career with the Canadian Government
  • Careers for Foreign Language Aficionados & Other Multilingual Types
  • Careers in Fundraising
  • Great Jobs for Political Science

Career Centre Library Panel Packages:

  • Career Panel for Languages (2011)
  • Networking Night: Economics (2010)
  • Networking Event: French (2010)
  • Economics Career Night (2010)
  • Political Science Career Night (2009)
  • Careers in Policy (2007)
  • Careers in Languages (2006)
  • Careers in International Development (2006)
  • Work Abroad Panel (2004)

Web Links:

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).